Late goals give Paraguay vital win over Colombia

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

(Reuters) - Two goals in the last three minutes gave Paraguay a 2-1 win over Colombia on Thursday and ensured both teams are still in contention for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia ahead of next week’s final qualifying matches.

The result means Colombia drop to fourth in the 10-team group, while Paraguay are in seventh. The top four teams qualify automatically for Russia and the fifth-placed side take on New Zealand in a play-off.

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Leaders Brazil (38) have already qualified and second-placed Uruguay (28) need just a point to join them.

Two points then separate third-placed Chile (26) to Paraguay in seventh ahead of the final round of matches on Oct. 10.

Paraguay take on Venezuela at home, Brazil play Chile in Sao Paulo while two-time world champions Uruguay host Bolivia.

Sixth-placed Argentina, who drew 0-0 with Peru in Buenos Aires, go to Ecuador, while Peru, who occupy the playoff spot, will aim to reach the finals for the first time since 1982 when they take on Colombia.